There are such a lot of wonderful methods the cellphone has modified our lives. Prompt connection to anybody, anyplace on the planet, has by no means been simpler. Boredom is a factor of the previous when you’ve got social media apps and high-tech video games at your fingertips, to not point out streaming your favourite TV present (commercial-free).
However the ease of entry to almost something you need could be a bit too simple. Should you’re so related to your telephone that you simply don’t need to put it down, it makes it laborious to concentrate if you’re driving.
Research present that cell telephones and driving don’t combine. As our telephones get smarter, distracted driving collision charges go up. But, there are lots of methods the telephone is a crucial a part of our time within the automotive, and it may be a lifesaver in an emergency.
So how are you going to scale back the dangers of utilizing your telephone with out giving it up fully? Take a look at these three sensible tricks to function your automotive and your telephone safely on the similar time.
1. Go Verbal
Do you know your telephone has verbal command options that make it potential to make use of it with out touching a button?
This goes past the “Hey, Siri” request to reply your burning questions. The options you’ve got rely in your telephone, however basically, you may arrange a “Hey, Google” voice entry to regulate your machine. With the appropriate instructions, you may open apps, begin, change, and finish navigation, and ship texts and calls, all hands-free.
The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security reviews that drivers are performing handheld actions whereas behind the wheel. Whether or not you’re dialing numbers, texting, web sites, choosing your subsequent tracks to play, or getting into an deal with, it’s a distraction.
Distracted manipulation of the telephone will increase your threat of getting in a deadly crash by 66%. This conduct contributes to over 800 deaths per yr. The drivers liable for these fatalities usually find yourself sued in wrongful demise claims, as JT Authorized Group explains.
Studying the verbal instructions to make use of your telephone helps you to profit from the machine with out taking your eyes off the street. Since a five-second look away is akin to driving the size of a soccer area, this is a crucial talent to select up should you don’t need to put your telephone away totally.
2. Mount Your Telephone
Even with verbal instructions, typically it’s a must to take a look at the telephone when you’re driving, like if you’re navigating unknown roads. In these important conditions, a mounted display screen that stays in a single place is the only option.
Use a cellphone that mounts to your sprint at eye-level, lowering how far and lengthy it’s a must to look away from the street. This stabilizer eliminates the issue of getting your telephone slide off your lap and below your foot if you brake unexpectedly or trying to find it when it goes MIA.
The most secure cellphone mounts maintain your eyes within the regular line of sight, not close to the cup holder or console. Use a Bluetooth equipment in case your automotive doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth options, and you may route your telephone’s audio into the automotive’s speaker system.
3. Program Your Telephone Earlier than You Drive
The much less that you must use your telephone when you’re driving, the higher. A lot of what you’ll be utilizing it for may be programmed earlier than you place your automobile in gear.
The place are you headed? Begin your navigation whereas your automotive is parked. What music or podcast are you within the temper for? Get it taking part in now as an alternative of if you’re driving.
Set your telephone to Do Not Disturb (DND) mode for incoming calls and messages. Most telephones have a “don’t disturb whereas driving” mode that prompts when the telephone senses that you simply’re in movement or is related to your automotive’s Bluetooth system.
Should you’re anticipating an pressing name or don’t need to miss emergency texts and calls, change the setting to permit sure numbers to come back by way of. Then, ask your telephone to learn any texts aloud.
Whereas your telephone is in DND mode, you may nonetheless use navigation and music apps. The protection function doesn’t restrict your performance; it reduces the temptation that you simply’ll need to learn and reply to texts or reply telephone calls.
Conclusion
You possibly can argue that cell telephones have improved society and elevated consumer security, and also you’d be proper in some ways. Smartphones are a useful machine to have if you’re in a automotive accident or damaged down in the course of nowhere, particularly with their GPS locator options.
Nevertheless, security is compromised if you’re behind the wheel utilizing your telephone. Use these three easy, cheap tricks to make use of the very best options in your telephone and proceed to be a accountable driver.
